MTI Concert Dance Announces Licensing of Choreographic Works by José Limón
MTI Concert Dance, a division of Music Theatre International, announced today that the company has entered an agreement to exclusively license a series of works created by renowned choreographer José Limón to professional companies, the second choreographer’s works to be included in the MTI catalogue. More than 60 ballets and theatre dance works by Jerome Robbins were the first choreographic works to be licensed by MTI Concert Dance in September, 2024.
MTI Concert Dance aspires to license choreographed works from well-known creators across many genres of dance. Launched in March 2024, MTI Concert Dance helps sustain and grow the legacy of choreographers, their works, and the transcendent power of dance for future generations of dance artists and audiences. Led by dancer, choreographer, and educator Elizabeth Parkinson, MTI Concert Dance is the first organization of its kind to work directly with choreographers and dance companies to license copyrighted works to organizations around the world. As a result, the choreographer’s legacy and brand are completely supported, developed, and protected.
Limón works licensed by MTI include: Chaconne; A Choreographic Offering; Concerto Grosso; Dances for Isadora; Danzas Mexicanas; The Emperor Jones; The Exiles; La Malinche; Mazurkas; Missa Brevis; The Moor's Pavane; Orfeo; Psalm; Scherzo; There is a Time; The Traitor; The Unsung; The Waldstein Sonata; and The Winged. The José Limón Dance Foundation will continue managing educational and non-professional licenses directly.
“I first encountered the works of José Limón as a young dancer with the Joffrey Ballet. Robert Joffrey aspired to present historically important works in every season, and The Moor’s Pavane was a highly anticipated staple in our repertory,” said Elizabeth Parkinson. “I am forever grateful for the opportunity I was given to observe these passionate performances from the wings of New York City Center, and am honored to now represent and advocate for the works of José Limón.”
“I was once backstage warming up when Sylvie Guillem—who was sharing the bill with the Limón Company—came up to me and told me about one of her earliest dance memories. She described standing outside the studio, watching Rudolf Nureyev learn the role of the Moor in Limón’s The Moor’s Pavane. She said she had never been so deeply moved by a work, and that Limón’s choreography is among the most important of the 20th century—work that must never stop being performed. As you can imagine, that has stayed with me since and now this historic partnership brings together the 70-year legacy and global reach of MTI with the 80-year legacy and global reach of José Limón, ensuring that the work of both organizations continues to inspire and connect the greatest dancers and companies, generation after generation,” said Dante Puleio, artistic director, Limón Dance Company.
Additional information about MTI Concert Dance can be found here.
José Limón was one of the most prominent American choreographers in modern dance. His powerful choreography often focused on human drama, incorporating themes from literature, history, or religion. Throughout his career, Limón worked to change the image of the male in dance and bring it to a new stature and recognition. Born in 1908 in Culiacan, Mexico, Limón moved to the United States with his family when he was seven years old. He became interested in dance at the age of twenty, after moving to New York City to study painting. He began his studies with pioneer modern dancers Doris Humphrey and Charles Weidman, and was soon invited to join their company. In 1946 he founded his own company. Limón is best known for his masterpiece, The Moor's Pavane, based on Shakespeare's Othello. He choreographed over 74 other works, including The Traitor, The Exiles, There is a Time, Chaconne, Emperor Jones, Carlota, Dances for Isadora, and The Unsung. José Limón died on December 2, 1972.
Founded in 1946 by José Limón and Doris Humphrey, the Limón Dance Company has been at the vanguard of American Modern dance since its inception and is considered one of the world’s greatest dance companies. Choreographer and dancer José Limón is credited with creating one of the world’s most important and enduring dance legacies— an art form responsible for the creation, growth and support of modern dance in this country. Today, the José Limón Dance Foundation continues his work through two entities: the Limón Dance Company, an international touring repertory company, and the Limón Institute, an educational and archival resource organization. Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery and expansive, yet nuanced movement, the Limón Dance Company illustrates the timelessness of José Limón’s work and vision. The Company’s repertory, which includes classic works in addition to new commissions from contemporary choreographers, possesses an unparalleled breadth and creates unique experiences for audiences around the world.
